A community-owned pub has announced its new tenants.

Lee Jones and Kim Boughton will be taking over at the Brewers Arms in West Malvern on April 1.

The pair have a combined eight years experience of running pubs, including four at another community-owned pub, The Dolphin Inn at Bishampton.

The Brewers Arms was bought by a group of residents last September after Admiral Taverns announced it was looking to sell the boozer nearly 11 months previously.

More than 400 investors raised a total of £400,000 and the Brewers was eventually bought for £295,000.

The 200-year-old pub reopened in December - but with volunteers running the show, the search was on for a permanent landlord.

READ MORE: Brewers Arms in West Malvern is looking for a landlord

Mark Haslam, who has been volunteering as landlord for the past few months, said it is an exciting time for the Brewers.

“We drew up a shortlist of five applicants and interviewed two. Lee and Kim will be bringing experience of the pub trade, which is great,” he said.

“They are very keen to develop our reputation for having good, local beers. They don’t want to change what isn’t broken.

“They will also be looking to provide hot and cold food and to start putting on and promoting community activities.

“We are particularly keen to offer quality Sunday lunches. It isn’t going to be turned into a bistro, it’ll still be the Brewers but with good beer and good food.”

READ MORE: Villagers agree to start process to buy Brewers Arms in West Malvern

Mr Haslam, who has been running the pub since December 8, said he has enjoyed it but is getting ready to hang up his bar towel.

In that time he has been joined by more than 60 volunteers who have done shifts behind the bar.

“It’s not just shareholders, but the whole community that is behind this project,” he said. “And now we’d like to go to the next level.

“I’ve enjoyed running it but Lee and Kim have the whole summer ahead of them now.

“The next level for us as a committee is to work on the garden, remedial work on the pub and the refurbishment of the annexe building to make it an even better asset for the community.”

New landlord Lee Jones said: “Kim and I feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to look after the Brewers Arms on behalf of the trustees and local community.

"The committee were very clear on what they wanted from the new tenants and we look forward to meeting their expectations and introducing ourselves to the volunteers and customers, and delivering their local to the best of our ability.”